Arsenal Suffer Another Injury Setback Ahead Derby With Spurs

Martin Odegaard injured his ankle on Monday during Norway’s UEFA Nations League game with Austria.

Odegaard covered his face with his hands while being treated on the field midway through the second half of the game against Austria.

He appeared to turn awkwardly on his left ankle in a tough challenge with Austria midfielder Christoph Baumgartner as both chased and stretched for a loose ball.

He eventually limped out of the game two minutes later and was consoled by his teammate Erling Haaland.

Norway head coach Stale Solbakken told TV 2: “It looked bad in the dressing room, too. He didn’t have the chance to continue.”

The team’s team doctor Ola Sand said: “He got a small ankle sprain. We will see, maybe we use ultrasound to look at it.”

It is a worrying development for Arsenal who have some difficult fixtures lined up when the international break concludes.

The Gunners first go to London rival Tottenham on Sunday then open their Champions League program at Atalanta, the Europa League winner, four days later in Italy.

Then, a visit to Manchester City completes a grueling week on Sept. 22.

Depending on the severity of the injury, it could leave Mikel Arteta with a huge midfield headache.

Declan Rice is suspended for the clash after his controversial red card against Brighton while summer signing Mikel Merino is also injured.

Merino suffered a fractured shoulder in his first training session, meaning Arteta could be left with Thomas Partey and Jorginho to start in midfield against Spurs.

Also Riccardo Calafiori left Italy’s international camp after sustaining an ankle blow when Ousmane Dembele accidentally studded him after a challenge from Alessandro Bastoni.